The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law guaranteeing all children and youth the right to an equal education, regardless of their living situation. Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

This definition includes students:

• Sharing housing with friends, relatives, etc. due to the loss of housing, natural disaster, hardship, etc.
• Living in a motel, trailer park, or campground due to the lack of alternative accommodations
• Living somewhere not designed for human occupation
• In shelters or substandard housing
• In an above situation and not in the custody of an adult guardian

Those covered by the law have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment, regardless of documentation, immunizations, etc.
• Automatic eligibility for free/reduced lunch
• Transportation to their school of origin (consistency in education)
• Comparable education to all other students